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A Lurker's History of Paradox and the Paradox Community *
by Stacy Rowley

[Editor's Note: All the graphics in this article (except the two icons) are links to a larger version of the same image. Placing your mouse pointer over the graphic will show popup and status bar info about what the photograph is. The larger images open in the same smaller dialog window, so you might wish to leave that window open while reading the article.]


Introduction

Once there was a small company named Ansa, formed by Robert (Rob) Shostak and Richard Schwartz, who created and developed Paradox database software that entered the world in 1985. This was a solid foundation of a relational database system, for many of their concepts are alive today, such as the table design and the first PC use of Query-By-Example (QBE).

There have been various stories and theories about the naming of Paradox. True, Shostak and Schwartz held PhDs, so they were a pair of docs. But this was an Ansa internal joke and only a joke. (Later, in one of the early Windows versions of Paradox, Borland punsters provided two icons that one could use: a pair of ducks ducks and a pair of docks docks.) Also, Gilbert and Sullivan in the "Pirates of Penzance" have this dialogue which hits quite close to home:
Frederic: A paradox?

King:     A paradox?

Ruth:     A most ingenious paradox!
          We've quips and quibbles heard in flocks,
          But none to beat this paradox!

Frederic: How quaint the ways of paradox!

King:     A paradox, a paradox,
          A most ingenious paradox.
Paradox DOS v1.1 But let's venture back to Paradox DOS Version 1.1 and the Introduction Manual:
"The best way to introduce ParadoxTM is to explain how the program got its name. To begin with, what is a paradox? Something that appears to be a contradiction, but which is, in fact, true. For instance, powerful data base programs have historically been difficult and slow to learn and use. So it is a paradox to say that a sophisticated data base program is easy and quick to learn and use. Hence, Paradox. On the one hand, it is a data base management program of powerful capabilities and complex functions. On the other hand, it is easy to learn, swift to act, and simple to use."
Indeed this was the basis for the name and from the very start of it. Schwartz and Shostak were professors at Stanford University when they decided to write a database program that was both easy to use and robust. After four years of moonlighting work on it, it was ready for them to look for a venture capitalist.

After a few tries, they found Ben Rosen. A while back, Rosen had turned from engineering to establish himself as a technology analyst--primarily at Morgan Stanley & Co. Rosen's special insight was that he understood early that the calculators and digital watches made possible by semiconductor technology would soon grow up into more powerful machines. He teamed up with L. J. Sevin, former CEO of Mostek, a chip manufacturer, to co-found Sevin Rosen Funds. They financed some of the most successful startup companies of the technology field, including Lotus, Cypress Semiconductor, Silicon Graphics, Compaq, Ciena, Citrix, and Electronic Arts. Plus Ansa, with Ansa locating to Ben Rosen's New York City office as a startup where it began to add a few people to the two computer researchers.


Next:
The Early DOS Days: the Software


* The author's intent was to chronicle most of the key events in the evolution of Paradox database software, and to recognize the individuals who have contributed significantly to the Paradox Community for more than a brief period. It is hoped that with this, along with background information and some anecdotes, the reader can gain a perspective and appreciation for our Paradox.

The author's intent makes for a rather impossible task because it is subjective while trying also to be factual. Some may feel left out, some may actually wish to be omitted, and some may feel they don't deserve the recognition. It is also subject to my memory and my value opinions; I have tried to be as thorough and fair as possible. If you feel that I missed a key person, let me know. If you have a true anecdote that would be a valuable addition, also let me know. (StacyRowley@ParadoxCommunity.com). The same goes for events in history.

I have bounced various aspects off quite a few people. In particular, I wish to thank Liz Woodhouse for encouraging this effort and offering many constructive thoughts, and Brian Bushay, Steve Caple, Steve Green, Lance Leonard, John Moore and Dan Ehrmann for responding to numerous emails. Thanks also go to Mitch Koulouris for permitting the scanning of some pictures from the Paradox Informant.


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